Saturday, December 18, 2010

Argentina recieves three Nominations for IRB Try of the Year

Despite not having the most impressive year in terms of results on the field, Argentina have still nonetheless greatly impressed the IRB in having two tries scored in international matches in June vs Scotland and France as well as one by Los Jaguares vs Italy A nominated for the best try of the year. The two Pumas tries were two of a total of eighteen tries that have been nominated for the award. In 2009 Pumas winger Gonzalo Camacho was nominated for try of the year for his try vs England in Salta which proved to be a match winner. The award, however, went to Jaque Fourie of South Africa for his match and series winning try vs the Lions.

This years nominations come from a total of seven countries - Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, Namibia, New Zealand and Wales. New Zealand lead the nominations list with five tries followed by both Argentina, Australia and England who all recieved three. Leading countries whom were not nominated for any of the eighteen tries include France, Ireland and South Africa. No tries scored by leading teams France, Ireland or South Africa were nominated. Curiously this year there were also women's tries included in the nominations and Wales's Shane Williams was nominated for two tries.

Pumas centre Gonzalo Tiesi recieved a nomination for his vs Scotland in Tucuman which was scored in the third minute of the match. It was a team try which started from the Pumas 22 following a Scottish turnover. Tiesi played in all of Argentina's tests in 2010.

Pumas captain, Felipe Contepomi was nominated for his second half try vs France which was a solo effort scored from near halfway. As far as individual tries go it was certainly a standout try. Contepomi also scored a first half try and scored a total of 31 points as Argentina produced their best performance of the year.

Los Jaguares also received a nomination as a try scored by winger Juan Jose Imhoff vs Italy A during the IRB Nations Cup in Romania. Imhoff remains uncapped but has represented Los Jaguars (Argentina A) in matches at home and away - most recently vs Russia in october.